Would use of AAS benefit my situation.

[AleaveR]

First of all, let me give my background. I started working out at the age of 15 and had decent gains throughout high school. I never used AAS back then but was always very willing to do so. I have always been fascinated by the advantages that drugs provide us with, not just with AAS but drugs in general and therefore would constantly read about steroids and other drugs etc.

To make a long story short, I am 22 right now and am currently in my second year of graduate school, working on a doctorate in pharmacy. My fascination with drugs is what prompted me to pursue this career. Anyways, when I got to college, my motivation to workout slowly faded as the school related stress dramatically increased. I eventually stopped working out and eating right and ultimately reachied an amazing 273lbs on a 5ft 9 frame (very fat).

Well on 5/29/03 I finally got my act together and started working out hard again. I have been eating b/w 5-7 meals per day, doing cardio 2-3x week, and doing some intense lifting 3xweek. Since 5/29/03 I have managed to lower my weight from 273 to 238 and have lowered my BF about 10%. I have been very happy with my progress thus far but have recently somewhat plateued. I dont plan on using AAS right away, as I am still seeing decent gains but have really considered adding them to my program in the future (w/in the next year).

While I am aware of the possible side effects of using high doses of AAS for long periods of time, I am also confident that lower to moderate doses over a short period of time coupled with the proper training and exercise that I have been maintaining since 5/29 might really be of benefit to me. I feel that seeing the results of a cycle with AAS will really be a motivation and also increase my self confidence, etc...

Basically, I would like to hear what those of you who have used AAS for bodybuilding purposes think of my situation. Personally I am confident that there will be many benefits. Maybe not at this moment but sometime in the near future when gains start becoming harder to acquire and thus make it harder for me to maintain motivation. I know I am fairly young but I went through puberty early in life and feel that I am done growing....

I am gonna post my progress pics so far in the next two posts.

 

[ripper2]

first off, CONGRATS on getting your butt in gear and dropping the fat. that is some amazing progress in itself, and you should be very proud. it seems that you have a definite interest in the mentioned topics, and for that i am sure you have read and researched and read and researched some more.

you are going about things the right way IMO, and I feel that when the time is right, that AAS would be a great supplement to your current training and diet programs. many people seem to think that AAS take the place of dedication and desire and the sheer hardwork required to make the gains we all strive for, but this is not the case and from what you've written it seems like you have your head on pretty straight. keep at it, and you will know when the time is right.

 

[AleaveR]

6-9-03

 

[AleaveR]

8-29-03

 

[Citruscide]

Is it me or do your shorts look pulled up a little higher in the second pic? Not that it matters, if you lost weight, you lost weight. It would be cool to see two pictures of the exact same pose however, that way I (we) could get a better and more reliable Gage of your situation.

I do not think anabolics are necessary for you at this time... I think a good workout routine, a excellent diet and a sound cardio program over the next 6 months to a year could yield tremendous results... hell, you could have amazing results over the next 3 months if you really wanted them.

I would be more than happy to help you write up a diet, workout plan and cardiovascular scheme if you want... you can e-mail me at [email protected]

C-ditty

 

[AleaveR]

Ripper, you are absolutely right. AAS are in no way a substitute for hard work and dedication and that is why I havent even considered them until recently. for the last few months I have proven to myself that I can stick to a program, and that I have the dedication it takes to make a change. It is only now, when everything else is in gear that I am considering them as future option.

 

[Citruscide]

First off, it took balls to post up those pics. Secondly, I would strongly suggest getting your diet on track, losing about 50-70lbs or so and build a strong foundation before even remotely considering jumping on a cycle. AAS should be your most distant thought at this point. I don't see how going on a cycle would benefit you in the least. In fact, it might very well make health matters worse. People that are overweight and out of shape like you appear to be in those pics typically have stress on the hearth due to poor blood circulation and high blood pressure. AAS complicates these matters and could be detrimental to your health.

I would also encourage you to spend less time on this particular forum and more time on both the training and diet forums. Mr. X is the diet "guru" of this board and very seldomly posts over here. There are also many good bro's that can help you with your training regimen on the training forum but please, for the love of God, DO NOT DO AAS AT THIS TIME.

VERY good post JA... I might add that AAS should be used when you have reached a plateau in your bodybuilding, athletic or fitness lifestyle... when you have pushed your body to the brinks of it's natural genetics... and you want to push it further.

At this moment, you have not taken yourself to that level ... It's not a rip on you by any means. You have made progress and as JA said, have tons of guts for posting up your pics... especially here on the AAS board.

However, with a great diet, cardio and weight routine, you can seriously cut down all the weight you want to, without any usage of AAS.

C-ditty

 

[Juice Authority]

First off, it took balls to post up those pics. Secondly, I would strongly suggest getting your diet on track, losing about 50-70lbs or so and build a strong foundation before even remotely considering jumping on a cycle. AAS should be your most distant thought at this point. I don't see how going on a cycle would benefit you in the least. In fact, it might very well make health matters worse. People that are overweight and out of shape like you appear to be in those pics typically have stress on the hearth due to poor blood circulation and high blood pressure. AAS complicates these matters and could be detrimental to your health.

I would also encourage you to spend less time on this particular forum and more time on both the training and diet forums. Mr. X is the diet "guru" of this board and very seldomly posts over here. There are also many good bro's that can help you with your training regimen on the training forum but please, for the love of God, DO NOT DO AAS AT THIS TIME.

 

[AleaveR]

Citruside,

You are right, the pose is different and the shorts might be a bit higher. This pose does show a greater differnence then comparing it to the same pose but you are right. the best comparison is by using the same pose. I will see if I have one with a similar pose.

Also, thanks for the offer on the diet. Lately my diet has consisted of 5-7 meals. Splitting about 230g of protein b/w them. The main sources of carb that I use with my meals are brown rice, fruit (apple, berrries, peaches), Veggies (brocoli, green beans, carrots, etc), and fiber one (good stuff!). I have also used milk but am considering eliminating it... My protien sources are usually egg whites, turkey, chicken, salmon, whey (post workout), and milk.

Supplements: whey (post workout), multi V, Flax oil, Fish oil, Vit C

Training: Mon: Back and Shoulders, Wed: Legs, Fri: Chest, Bi, Tri
(So far I am happy with my gains...started in may with leg press of 3 plates on each side and am doing 9 per side right now for 6 reps!) (Chest progress is slower for some reason...)

If you feel that you can offer better ideas about my diet/training, I would love to hear what you have to say...

 

[AleaveR]

JA,

Thank you for the good advice. Please dont feel like you or anyone are bashing me by telling me what you truly feel, that is the very reason I posted on this forum. I wanted to know the opinions of those who have had hands on experience. It is one thing to get information from professors or a book but IMO, the opinion of those with hands on experience of similar, if not more importance.

Yes, being overweight does put more stress on the heart and AAS can add to that by increasing BP, etc. But lets say that I were to continue dieting and eventually reach a plateu. I try and try to overcome it but eventually get so frustrated that I go back to my old ways and put on all the weight I worked so hard to lose. I stay at this weight for a very long time and eventually run in to severe heart trouble.

On the other hand, what If I reached a plateu. I had still not reached my goal and while I was happy with my improvements, I was still not happy with my appearence. I tried and tried to overcome and became frustrated so decided to add AAS to my program. With the help of AAS (in moderation), I overcome my plateu and eventually reach my goal. I am now a much more confident person who is happy with the way I look. I am also at a much lower BF so my BP/Cholesterol will likely be much lower. furhtermore, the fact that I am happy with the way I look motivates me to continue exercising, eating well, and ultimatley maintain the way I look and feel. In this case, AAS did not add to any heart problems but instead kept me from encountering them by allowing me to maintain a healthy way of life.

Im not saying that things are always like this and that this is the way it is going to be for me. But if you were a health care practioner, which of the previous situations do you think would yield the best results? which would lead to a healthier person? Which persons quality of life would be better? Just something to think about...